Russell Higdon

Background

About Russell Higdon

Strategic manufacturing and operations leader with global experience and a history of success in solving complex challenges, optimizing processes, delivering capital projects and developing teams to drive performance, profitability and customer satisfaction during variable market conditions. Manage high volume, highly automated, continuous flow manufacturing facilities 24x5 and 24x7. Background includes reducing costs, improving margin, and increasing productivity and product quality. Proven results: Throughput +65%, Yield +5%, Availability +20%, & Gross Margin +20%. Implementation of GMP, ISO 9001, and HACCP. Compliance with FDA & OSHA. Some examples of my achievements include: • Completed $25M project under budget within tight time constraints; averted project failure, costly upgrades. Increased plant throughput 66% and total product yield 5% while reducing total inventory >40% for Skretting. • Increased plant performance 10% above target with reduced staff by implementing key performance indicators. • Led $8M plant modernization / expansion, operations consolidation. • Developed and implemented five-point Skretting Nutrace Quality Management System. • Retained key clients while increasing gross margin per unit 20% in declining market for Skretting. • Expanded business in new market segment, securing $4M in sales from key Skretting customer. • Eliminated plant bottleneck, significantly increased throughput and product quality; retained key customers. Specialties: Operations Management, Manufacturing Management, Capital Projects, P&L, Team Leadership, Budgets, Forecasting, MRP, Manufacturing Strategies, Lean Practices, Process Optimization, CMMS, Training, ERP, Multi-Site Management, EHS, Cost Control, Inventory Control, KPIs, Quality Management Systems, Logistics, GMP, Regulatory Compliance, Expansions, OEE, Product Development, Automation, ISO 9001, HACCP